As our beloved feast of Christmas approaches, how necessary it is for us people of caring and faith to prayerfully consider the traditional over-consumption and consumerism of the season- tangibles such as food and gifts, as well as the intangible of energy use. Humanity is becoming increasingly aware of the heavy cost that production, transportation, and purchase has on our environment and poor people of other nations. “Christian spirituality offers another way of understanding quality of life, and encourages a prophetic and contemplative lifestyle, capable of helping to deeply appreciate things without being obsessed with consumption. It is important to assimilate an old teaching, present in various religious traditions, and also in the Bible. It is the belief that "less is more" [LS 222]. Peaceful words for us from Pope Francis!